Bringing home laptop from singapore...?

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ziglet

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Would just like any comments regarding South African customs and the prices people have been charged for bringing in a laptop to South Africa...

The laptop will come to about R12 000 and have read in the SARS document that:

Briefly, the allowances are as follows:
Goods imported Duty leviable
a) Personal effects Duty free
b) Other new or used goods not exceeding R3 000 Duty free
c) Additional goods new or used not exceeding R12 000 Duty at 20%

Has anyone experienced this / how much have you had to pay for your goods...?

Any information will be gladly appreciated! ;)
 
Dump the packaging and manuals or get someone else to carry them for you, put it in a case, then green channel FTW! :D
 
Technically, if I remember correctly there is no import duty on Computers (or is it computer components) but if they do stop you the very least you will have to pay is 14% VAT.

I would put it in your bag (take it out of the packaging) and stroll through the nothing to declare section.
I had a mac mini in my baggage the one time and just waltzed through.

Not that I would advocate breaking the law or anything.
 
What's the law on someone sending you a gift via post?

Like, say, if I ordered 10 DVDs and had a friend collect them and then post to me?
 
n1hilist said:
What's the law on someone sending you a gift via post?

Like, say, if I ordered 10 DVDs and had a friend collect them and then post to me?
Click to expand...
If customs took a peek - as they do cos its their job - they'll make you pay the tax/duty at the post office.
ziglet said:
Would just like any comments regarding South African customs and the prices people have been charged for bringing in a laptop to South Africa...
Click to expand...
Dump the packaging, post yourself the manuals and make sure you get the worldwide warranty (or buy an apple ;)) Dont stick it in a specialised laptop case - esp not a new one.
 
n1hilist said:
What's the law on someone sending you a gift via post?

Like, say, if I ordered 10 DVDs and had a friend collect them and then post to me?
Click to expand...

They could as Bwana said make you pay duties etc. but I'm not sure how efficient they are. I forgot some computer stuff overseas once and a friend had to send it to me, the declared customs value was 120 Euros and it had all sorts of customs docs attached to it that had been prepared as it came through but all they charged me was about a R16 clearing fee. It seems to be about luck too though, I've heard of people importing the same product off Ebay, some pay nothing and others get hit for the full duty. So good luck!
 
nGAGEd55 said:
Here's a lil guide by LoneGunman: http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=28532 ;)
Click to expand...
If youre going to go through the effort of making the laptop appear like its been used for a while just downloading email isnt going to cut it - rather bring the hdd from an existing lappy in an external case and swop it out. You'll need to boot it a couple times to get rid of the new hardware found messages but even if you stuff your os up you still have the original hdd (now sitting safe and inconspicuously in that external case) to work with when you get home.

It also helps if you've ghosted that old drive before you left if there is anything of value on it.
 
Ok the question is, is this worth it?

Dell Inspiron XPSTM M1210
Intel Core 2 DUO T7200 2ghz
2gb DDR2 ram
120gb SATA hdrive
Geforce 7400 - 256mb
12.1" XGA wide screen with truelife(1280*800)
Integrated sound blaster audigy advanced HD
9-cell 85Whr battery
8x dvd+-r DL
3Year warranty with 3year complete cover....

R14260?
 
ziglet said:
Ok the question is, is this worth it?

Dell Inspiron XPSTM M1210
Intel Core 2 DUO T7200 2ghz
2gb DDR2 ram
120gb SATA hdrive
Geforce 7400 - 256mb
12.1" XGA wide screen with truelife(1280*800)
Integrated sound blaster audigy advanced HD
9-cell 85Whr battery
8x dvd+-r DL
3Year warranty with 3year complete cover....

R14260?
Click to expand...

Nice machine. you know how much that would set you back in this country?
 
No clue, the Dell website doesn't offer most of those laptops here in SA so couldn't make it up to check....

you know at all?

Is it a nice machine, like will i be impressed / desktop replacement(im not a gamer)
 
bwana said:
If youre going to go through the effort of making the laptop appear like its been used for a while just downloading email isnt going to cut it - rather bring the hdd from an existing lappy in an external case and swop it out. You'll need to boot it a couple times to get rid of the new hardware found messages but even if you stuff your os up you still have the original hdd (now sitting safe and inconspicuously in that external case) to work with when you get home.

It also helps if you've ghosted that old drive before you left if there is anything of value on it.
Click to expand...

I think you overestimate the intelligence of the average SA customs official. :D
 
Ok another question.

Does anyone know what duties / customs i would have to pay?
The % of the goods...? -- This is if i declare the goods...
 
ziglet said:
Ok another question.

Does anyone know what duties / customs i would have to pay?
The % of the goods...? -- This is if i declare the goods...
Click to expand...

I cannot help you with an SA price for that lappie. But it is more than you paid for it, that is for sure.

AS for customs, I would suggest you make like it is yours and don't declare it. The taxes and levies will make it not worth your while...
 
hj2k_x said:
Yeah. I had lank luggage when i came back from overseas once so i got a mate to carry on one of my bags for me...
Click to expand...

Yeah if you're travelling together you can ask them to weigh your luggage together too, they seem to be less anal about the limits then.
 
Syndyre said:
Yeah if you're travelling together you can ask them to weigh your luggage together too, they seem to be less anal about the limits then.
Click to expand...

This is true.

You can pick up a MacBook in the states for less than R8000 which is a bargain compared to SA's prices..
 
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